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DID YOU HEAR THE LATEST?
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from Assiniboia Downs.
| | ISSUE #227 - MARCH 20, 2026 | | Live Racing starts Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. | | |
2026 Live Race Dates
- Tuesday, May 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 7. Click here for full schedule.
- Reservations are now open for our renowned Prime Rib Buffet which is available on Live Race Nights only.
- Special Offer: $10 off per reservation in May. Use code MAYPRIME when booking. Reservations must be made by Thursday, April 30 in order to receive this special offer.
| | Trainer Lise Pruitt in her barn with Noble Escape. (George Williams) | | |
Pruitt Ready to Roll, Caribbean Cavalry Expected Back
The training track is open at ASD, and more trainers are shipping in daily.
Over 100 horses are on the grounds now with trainers Wendy Anderson, Jared Brown, Terry Cole, Ray Gardipy, Tom Gardipy Jr., Steve Gaskin, Devon Gittens, Jerry Gourneau, Mike Taphorn, Judy Hunter, Courtney Ross, Craig Smith, and Lise Pruitt. Reigning leading trainer Steve Keplin Jr., Jason Homer, Mike Nault, and Rick Wise are expected this week
And you can tell Pruitt is happy to be back in action.
Full story here
| | Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. | | |
The fun never stops at Assiniboia Downs
Winnipeg’s place to play and win!
Did you know that Assiniboia Downs is Winnipeg's #1 Spot for VLT Jackpots? Play any of our 140 VLTs in the Club West Gaming Lounge for your chance to win!
🎡 Free Spin to Win draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 6 p.m.
💸 Free $200 cash draws — Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.
Click here to see our recent jackpots.
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Road to the Kentucky Derby
- Mar. 21 - Jeff Ruby Steaks (TP) - 100 points
- Mar. 21 - Louisiana Derby (FG) - 100 ponits
- Mar. 28 - Arkansas Derby (OP) - 100 points
- Mar. 28 - Florida Derby (GP) - 100 points
- Mar. 28 - UAE Derby (MEY) - 100 points
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It won't be long now! The popular Girls Night Out will be back at ASD for 2026. Are you ready?! (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
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Looking for a Special Photo?
Track Photographer Jason Halstead may have just what you're looking for
Looking for that extra-special photo of your big horse, one you might not find in your win pictures?
Track photographer Jason Halstead takes numerous photos during the races, and not all of them can make it into the win photos. If you’re looking for something frameable from your big race, or of your special horse, email Jason at jjhphoto@gmail.com.
Prices are excellent! Almost as good as his photos 😊
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A Snapshot in Time by Bob Gates
On September 13, 1958, Dr. Pat and jockey Ray Stewart of Gladstone, Manitoba, won the Assiniboia Invitational. Less than two weeks later, the pair captured the inaugural running of the Downs Gold Cup on September 24, 1958. In 2015, Mr. Stewart returned to the Downs to present the Gold Cup to the winning connections. Sadly, Mr. Stewart passed away a few years ago. (Stewart family photo.)
| | Faber won an allowance race on grass at the Fair Grounds last month and makes his first start for David Anderson in the Muniz Stakes on March 21. (Fair Grounds photo) | | |
Canadians Compete in Big Races This Weekend
Woodbine trainers Josie Carrol and Kevin Attard are going after Kentucky Derby (GI) points this Saturday with Chaos Agent and Two Out Hero in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Saturday also features a litany of rich stakes races at other tracks, and Canadian horsepeople and horses are involved there, too. They include Anderson Farms and its new purchase Faber, Tom’s Magic, Luv Your Neighbor, Penny and Manfred Conrad’s Casson and Prince of Wales Stakes winner Runaway Again.
-- Canadian Thoroughbred
| | Steve Haskin's weekly Kentucky Derby Rankings takes a closer look at the contenders in the big Derby preps this weekend. Always worth a read! | | |
2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings - Week 9
The last slow weekend has passed, and now it's all about the important 100-point prep races.
The Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks this weekend could separate a few more major contenders from the pack, and next week's analysis will include those races.
Here we go!
-- Secretariat.com
| | Track Historian Bob Gates | | |
The Best of Bob
From the Archives – September 4, 2025
Who remembers the Alberta horseman who made history in 1958, Assiniboia Downs’ very first season? Richard William Mathes — better known as “Bud” — captured the inaugural leading trainer title and set the standard for generations to come. This week, our history feature revisits Bud’s remarkable story, including surprising connections to Ron Turcotte and Wayne Gretzky. Click here to read the full story.
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Feedback & Inside Track Archives
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to theinsidetrack@ASDowns.com.
Did you know that past issues of The Inside Track are available on our website?
Click here to read them now.
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